Blue Sky Christmas Holidays

I didn’t grow up in the land of White Christmases. East Texas winters might get a little chilly, but for the most part it’s pretty mild (except last year which was exceptionally cold, but I wasn’t there to experience it). Even though my past has been filled with warmer winters it’s a little strange to be kicking off the Holiday season with temperatures in the high 80s and upper 90s.

Welcome to Thailand: more specifically Chiang Mai. This Southeast Asian getaway has been my home for the last month. Living in a hotel in a land where I can only say “hello” and “thank you” has been quite an adjustment from the life I’ve become accustomed to in India over the last year, but it’s been a great experience. Part holiday, part waiting game I’ve been able to catch a small glimpse of what it’s like to live in yet another country.

When I first landed in the Chiang Mai airport I was amazed at the cleanness. Everything was so sterile in comparison to where I’d just come from. Then we got on the roads, and I was amazed at how calm the traffic seemed (although it’s still a fair bit more exciting than American traffic). People drive so fast. The stores are stocked with aisles of goodies, and I’ve even eaten a hamburger (or two or three or four). There’s even Starbucks and 7-11. And so I rode around with my head in the clouds for a few days.

I went and did some super touristy things. I went zip-lining through the jungle, played in waterfalls and even held a baby white tiger. I visited temples and ate at some great restaurants. Chiang Mai actually has great Mexican food. Oh, did I mention I got to eat hamburgers?

One of the best things though has been the opportunity to hang out with old friends and make some new ones. They’ve definitely made a month on a small budget more enjoyable. In my city back in India there aren’t a lot of foreigners. I’ve got some great friends there, but it’s such a refreshing experience to be in the company of a half dozen young, like-minded English speakers. It’s been a while, and I can see that I needed it.

As I kick off this Holiday season in the tropics I’m reminded of just how blessed I am. I’m on a fantastic journey that has led me places I never would have imagined just a couple of years ago. A little time to sit back and reflect on the last year has been just what I needed. So, even though I may get a little bored lying around the hotel some afternoons I know that this past month has been a great time of refreshment for me. Believe it or not, I’ve even come to realize there are some things about that crazy place called India I’ll be looking forward to getting back to.

The sun is shining. Maybe I should go for a swim.